Labor Minister urges businesses to play a more significant role in the ongoing vaccination drive
The German cabinet is set to adopt a new occupational safety ordinance on Wednesday, which includes regulations aimed at enhancing workplace safety during the ongoing pandemic. Notably, the ordinance does not contain any new advertisements.
One of the key features of the new ordinance is the extension of the obligation for employers to offer free tests twice a week. This measure, which was previously in place, will now continue to ensure regular testing for employees.
Federal Minister of Labor, Hubertus Heil (SPD), has been a strong advocate for employers to play a more active role in the vaccination campaign. In line with this, the new ordinance includes provisions for targeted information and workplace vaccination offers. However, it's important to note that vaccinations remain voluntary for employees.
Employers may offer vaccinations, such as the annual flu shot, with dates communicated in advance via internal channels. Vaccinations beyond the flu shot (e.g., for travel) follow official recommendations, and costs may be reimbursed if not covered by health insurance. Specific groups, such as first responders, are given opportunities for additional vaccinations (e.g., hepatitis).
The proven hygiene concept remains in place in the new occupational safety ordinance. This means that employers are expected to maintain the existing hygiene measures, such as social distancing, regular ventilation, and the provision of hand sanitizers.
It's worth noting that the new ordinance does not impose compulsory vaccination mandates on employees, nor does it specify employer obligations for vaccination leave within general workplaces. The current regulations emphasise voluntary vaccination campaigns actively facilitated by employers through offering vaccinations and supporting employee access.
The new occupational safety ordinance also includes provisions for employees to be granted leave to get vaccinated, although the details on how this will be implemented are yet to be disclosed.
In summary, the new occupational safety ordinance in Germany, set to be adopted on Wednesday, extends the obligation for employers to offer free tests twice a week, includes provisions for targeted information, workplace vaccination offers, and employees being granted leave to get vaccinated, while maintaining the proven hygiene concept. The ordinance does not specify the duration of the extended obligation for employers to offer free tests, nor does it provide details on how the targeted information and workplace vaccination offers will be implemented.
Other sectors of politics are discussing the potential impact of the new policy-and-legislation on general-news, with some expressing concerns about the potential implications for employee privacy in regards to mandatory testing and vaccination records.
In light of the new occupational safety ordinance, there is a growing debate among experts about other potential policy-and-legislation that could be enacted to ensure comprehensive workplace safety, such as mandatory vaccination for high-risk industries or stricter penalties for employers not adhering to the hygiene measures.
